When Scripture tells us, “Fear not,” it isn’t a promise that fear will never come—it’s an invitation to trust God when it does. For Jake Sexton, that choice has shaped his life. Again and again, he has faced fear and chosen faith—and because of God’s grace and the support of faithful partners like you, his life has been completely transformed.
In 2013, Jake arrived at our Changed Life Recovery Program (CLRP) broken and desperate. Addiction had taken everything from him, and he had no clear hope for the future.
In 2026, Jake will be stepping into leadership as the next Director of the CLRP, following the retirement of longtime Director Carlton Hill.
When he first entered the program, fear surrounded every step—fear of change, fear of failure, fear of surrendering his life to Christ. When Jake graduated from the program a year later, he was offered an internship, but once again, he was afraid. When he realized that the offer was God’s direction, he faced his fear. The next frightening challenge came a few years later, when the CLRP Director challenged Jake to become a Case Manager.
“Each transition was challenging,” Jake shares, “especially because the residents knew me in my previous roles.” Yet every time he trusted God’s direction, he saw fruit—not only in his own life, but in the lives of the men he served. He became more and more confident.
Jake points out that the first thing Adam and Eve did after the first sin was run and hide. He is done with that type of living. “Ministry stretches me daily,” he says. “But God places opportunities in front of me all the time. He gives me the desire to serve—and the courage to lean into fear. I don’t let fear win anymore.”
Carlton Hill has mentored Jake for years and has full confidence in his leadership. Jake is committed to protecting the integrity and mission of CLRP, ensuring that future men battling addiction receive the same life-changing care he once did.
“I don’t feel like working here is a job; it’s who I am. Knowing who I am in Christ allows me to walk boldly. I get to share the gospel with these men and witness God’s grace and mercy in their lives.”
Because of your generosity, broken lives are restored, future leaders are raised up, and faith grows long after recovery begins. Thank you for making stories like Jake’s possible—and for helping ensure that many more men will find freedom, courage, and a new beginning.
